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Yellow Flag Questions

Unlike Red Flags, a single Yellow Flag probably shouldn’t disqualify a remodeler. But they do alert you to the chance that you may have a less-than-satisfactory experience. The more Yellow Flags, the more cautious you should be, and if there are several, you should indeed consider looking elsewhere for a remodeler.

1. The remodeler arrives late, misses the appointment, shows up unkempt and appears to be unprofessional and unprepared.

2. The remodeler does not have a website or has a website that doesn’t look professional or provide useful information.

3. Your phone messages are not returned within a reasonable period of time.

4. You feel the remodeler isn’t asking good questions about your project, taking notes, isn’t a good listener or simply isn’t “getting” what you are saying.

5. The remodeler has other poor communication skills or you feel it will be difficult to communicate with each other.

6. The remodeler has unresolved complaints filed with an organization like the Better Business Bureau or similar consumer protection organization from previous clients and these complaints are not in the process of being resolved.

7. The remodeler appears to be “primarily” a carpenter but not also a seasoned business owner with the managerial and operational skills necessary to run a remodeling business, including managing projects and people, budgeting, estimating, etc.

8. When you have questions or concerns, the remodeler’s responses are vague, unclear or unsatisfactory.

9. When faced with a tough question, the remodeler seems to make up an answer on the spot instead of saying, “I don’t know the answer right this minute, but I will get right back to you.”

10. The remodeler seems more interested in selling you something rather than in understanding what you are looking for, what problems you are trying to solve in your home, and your needs.

11. There is no way to see previous work either on the website or in materials the remodeler brings to the meeting.

12. What you see does not indicate the remodeler can do the level and type of work you are looking for.

13. The remodeler’s business is new and does not have a track record and/or the owners do not have a track record of running or managing a remodeling company.

14. Your gut tells you that there is not the right chemistry between you and the remodeler or that this is not the remodeler you want to trust with your home.

If the remodeler you are considering raises no or just a few Yellow Flags, proceed to the “Green Flags.”